Overview
A Telematics Gateway (TU600) is a rugged, IP67-rated device installed on heavy equipment such as excavators, loaders, and cranes. It serves two purposes:
Machine tracking — It uses a built-in GNSS module to report the machine's GPS location directly to the cloud, without needing any other gateway infrastructure.
Tool detection — It acts as a Bluetooth gateway, automatically detecting nearby ON!Track Smart Tagged assets (tools, accessories, and kits) and reporting their presence to ON!Track.
The device has its own internal rechargeable battery but is primarily powered by the machine's electrical system (12–48 VDC). When connected to the machine's CAN bus, it can also capture telematics data such as engine hours and distance traveled.
Why use telematic gateway?
A Telematics Gateway gives you automatic, reliable visibility of two things that are otherwise difficult to track: where your heavy equipment is, and which tagged tools or accessories are with it.
This works without manual scanning or anyone needing to update locations. The gateway reports the machine's position and scans for tagged assets in the background, keeping ON!Track current as machines move between sites.
What problem does it solve?
Heavy equipment moves between jobsites, and tools and accessories often travel with it. Common challenges include:
Not knowing which site a machine is currently at
Not knowing which tools or accessories are with a specific machine
Missing or misplaced accessories that delay work on site
Difficulty planning maintenance without up-to-date engine hours or distance data
The Telematics Gateway addresses all of these by providing:
Geolocation — the machine's GPS position, updated automatically
Nearby asset detection — tagged tools and accessories detected via Bluetooth
Utilization data — engine hours and distance traveled (when connected via CAN bus)
Planned maintenance alerts — service reminders based on engine hours or distance thresholds
How telematic gateway helps your business
- Better control over high‑value equipment: Machines are easier to locate and manage across sites.
- Fewer delays caused by missing accessories: Visibility helps ensure tools and kits stay with the machine.
- Scalable fleet oversight: Automated tracking reduces reliance on manual reporting as fleets grow.
- Improved handovers and accountability: Reliable last‑seen information supports smoother transitions between teams or rental periods.
Benefits of using telematic gateway for your business
- Location visibility without extra infrastructure: The gateway updates the machine’s last seen location on its own, no stationary gateway needed.
- Automatic detection of nearby tagged assets: Sensor‑tagged tools and accessories are detected automatically.
- Clear “last seen” context: ON!Track shows when an asset was last seen and that it was last seen by the heavy equipment.
- Supports inventory and transfer workflows: Telematics data feeds features like Smart Inventory and transfer suggestions or automation (based on setup).
Use cases
Tracking heavy equipment across jobsites
Machines move frequently between sites. The gateway provides an up-to-date GPS location so you always know where each machine is.Managing tools and accessories that stay with a machine
Tagged tools or kits that normally remain with a specific machine are automatically detected and appear in ON!Track, so you can confirm they are still present.Remote checks before dispatch or handover
Before sending a machine to a new site or handing it over to another crew, check remotely where it was last seen and which tagged assets were recently detected near it.Utilization tracking and maintenance planning
With CAN bus connection, the gateway captures engine hours and distance. Use this data to monitor utilization rates and set up distance-based or engine-hours-based maintenance alerts
Industry examples
Construction: earthmoving fleets rotating across multiple sites
Utilities and service: equipment with frequent crew handovers
Civil engineering / roadworks: machines spread across many active locations
Rental fleets: better visibility during handovers and returns
Industrial maintenance: tracking machine utilization across workshops and plants
How it work
The Telematics Gateway acts as both a location sender and a Bluetooth listener on your machine:
The gateway reports the machine's GPS coordinates to the cloud at regular intervals.
It continuously scans for Bluetooth signals from nearby ON!Track Smart Tagged assets.
ON!Track uses this data to update asset records, power Smart Inventory views, and trigger transfer suggestions or automated transfers.
When the gateway detects tagged assets, ON!Track displays this in the asset details:
Last seen — when the asset was last detected
Last seen by — the name of the heavy equipment
Last seen source — "Telematics gateway"
For the heavy equipment asset itself, ON!Track shows the GPS-derived location and, when CAN bus data is available, a utilization panel with engine hours, distance, and utilization charts.
Features
GPS-based machine tracking — location updates without additional gateway infrastructure
Bluetooth scanning — detects up to 500 Smart Tagged assets within approximately 30 meters (100 feet) in clear line of sight
Utilization data — engine hours and distance traveled (requires CAN bus connection)
Planned maintenance alerts — schedule services based on time, engine hours, or distance thresholds
Utilization charts — summary and detailed views of machine usage over time
Smart Inventory and transfer workflows — feeds Proactive Asset Tracking (PAT) features including Smart Inventory, Suggested Transfers, and Automated Transfers
IP67-rated — built for harsh jobsite environments (operating range: −30 °C to +60 °C)
Installation
Installation is performed by a professional third-party installer certified by Trackunit, or by a capable customer following Hilti's installation guidelines. The process involves:
Mount the gateway on the heavy equipment in a protected location.
Connect the gateway to the machine's electrical system — at minimum, power and ground lines, the hour counter signal (Input 1), and the ignition signal (Input 2).
Connect the CAN bus (CAN High and CAN Low) if the machine supports it and you want utilization data (engine hours, distance).
Verify the installation using the Trackunit Verify tool, including setting the correct CAN profile and engine hours offset.
Link the gateway to the correct heavy equipment asset record in ON!Track.
Confirm the gateway is online (solid green LED + blinking red LED) and that nearby tagged assets are being detected.
Limitations and Requirements
A CAN bus connection is needed for utilization data. Without it, the gateway provides location and Bluetooth scanning only. Not all machines support CAN, and the correct CAN profile must be applied during installation for engine hours and distance data to appear.
Not pinpoint GPS for every tool. The gateway tracks the machine's GPS position. Tagged tools are shown as "near the machine" based on Bluetooth detection — they do not have independent GPS.
GPS accuracy depends on conditions. Satellite availability and terrain (mountains, tall buildings, underground areas) affect accuracy. If GPS accuracy exceeds 200 meters, ON!Track will not display the location.
Bluetooth range is affected by the environment. The gateway reliably scans up to 500 tags within approximately 30 meters in clear line of sight. Metal surfaces, walls, and other obstacles reduce this range significantly.
Power loss reduces functionality. If external power drops below the minimum threshold, the gateway switches to its internal battery. In this state, it sends GPS-only updates every hour and stops Bluetooth scanning. If the internal battery also drops below 3.5V, the gateway enters deep sleep and stops transmitting entirely.
Professional installation is recommended. Incorrect wiring or CAN profile selection can result in missing utilization data. A certified installer ensures proper setup.
Summary
A Telematics Gateway is a rugged, GPS-equipped device installed on heavy equipment. It automatically tracks the machine's location and detects nearby Smart Tagged tools and accessories — without anyone needing to scan them.
When connected to the machine's CAN bus, it also captures engine hours and distance data, enabling utilization tracking and planned maintenance alerts. This helps reduce delays, improve accountability during handovers, and make smarter decisions about how your fleet is deployed and maintained.
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